Opinion: Why I Don't Do Opinion Articles

I don’t do Op-Ed. It is my belief that opinion pieces exist for one of two reasons: promote an agenda, or slip in a rant under the auspices of polite debate. I rarely have cause for either. What follows here could be considered a rare exception, but I’m looking at it as mental house cleaning. Bear with me (or don’t) as I vomit this out of my psyche.

I have been known to scour the internet for anything vaguely 40K related. Army builds, rules debates, unit effectiveness, tactics, rumors, “what works”… all the electronic flotsam one could stomach, and more. So while I’ll never refer to myself as an expert in such things, I am certainly perceptive enough to grasp trending. And the trend in the blogosphere (or whatever you want to call it) I am seeing as of late is a relatively consistent mix of:

- Competitive vs. Non-Competitive, and Why Your Style Sucks
- Comp Score vs. no Comp Score (or Sportsmanship Score, or Painting Score… insert any variation here)
- The Metagame (?!)
- Unit Spam
- “We Knew About This Yesterday, POST FASTER!”
- “So-and-So Sucks Ass, and Here’s Why”

In the midst of my latest bout of masochistic perusing of article comments it hit me like a locomotive…


I. Don’t. Care

My game. I paid for every last bit of it. I glued and sanded and primed and painted every piece. I would have to try really hard to care less what the collective “you” considers correct/appropriate. I don’t like tournaments, and I don’t care if you do. I can’t stand brutal players or sore losers, and have no time for you if you are either. I have a great time rolling dice with a ridiculous army build, losing, and laughing about it.  Metagame?  Seriously? I have a wife, two kids, a career, and impending economic doom to worry about. Why would I waste cycles caring what our little plastic men are thinking when we’re not around? I despise rules lawyers. If you’re playing with me, you’re in my house and a friend. Cookie-cutter your army all day long with 4x Missile Devastators... don’t care.  And finally… your opinion of why Joe Shit the Ragman is an asshat means exactly squat.

So… I just stopped. Lots of places I won’t be visiting any more as I can’t relate. They’re playing a different game than I am. On the other hand, tons of hobby-esque cool places I will frequent more often. Jim and his Killzone, Mordheimer and his Death Squads. Conversions, house rules, out of the ordinary 40K? I’m there.

That’s it. I’m done. All I wanted to say. No need to pontificate any further and justify ten ways to Sunday why I’ve written what I’ve written. Know why?

My blog.

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Community Assistance Request: Plastic Armies for Real Soldiers

So I got this wild hair, and I need some guidance from the 40K community-at-large:

The other day I was reading comments on Big Jim's blog regarding the Killzone rules and how well they are being received. One of the responses was from a serviceman who indicated that he was deployed to Afghanistan and his squad is loving the game. I felt like an idiot that it never dawned on me previously...  that these men and women deployed overseas would prefer to spend their downtime pushing plastic and tossing dice. This got me to thinking; I bet its damn tough in many of their situations to actually acquire those 40K models to put on the table. And possibly even harder to find time to assemble it all. Maybe I can do something about that and thank them in some small way. A couple of assembled and/or painted models here and there, spread across multiple servicemen and/or units. Yeah... that's infinitely doable.

The problem? Not sure how to get the ball rolling.

The logistics I can do. The issue is I can't for the life of me figure out a good way to identify the appropriate servicemen or units. I have a tentative process in mind for acquiring and tracking the models, but how the heck do I even begin to figure out where the stuff should be sent? I don't want to spin up the whole thing only to figure out there's no one to send the stuff to. So I'm looking to the community for ideas, and here's what I need:

How do I identify 40K players in the service, deployed overseas? While I wish I could do this for all our servicemen deployed abroad, my preferred focus would be those areas like Afghanistan where gaming paraphernalia would be hard to come by.

Once I've developed a solid plan to identify individuals and shipping addresses, I can move onto phase two... gettin' the goods.

So cough it up geeks. How do I go about finding these folks? I don't have a heck of a lot of followers, but I get a ton of hits, so I'm hoping anyone who is interested in the idea will pass on a link to this post.

Would really appreciate your input on this one guys. Thanks in advance.

-Dryw

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Spectres: Part One - Dakka & Docs

As promised... dug out the digicam and strained my mediocre photography skills to the limit. Going to try to cover each of the units in some detail, and in the focus of this first episode will be the healers and the shredders. But first, a word from our sponsors (Spectres, class of M41):

I'm really not happy with the quality of the shot, but it's all I have at the moment. I'll work on it, but this gives a general idea of where I am and where I'm going. I wouldn't consider a single one of them 100% finished at this point, but hey... they're getting there. Notably absent from the group photo are:

Baal Predator with MK.IVc turret - not a drop of paint on him and he refuses to be photographed nekkid
Bike Squad - showcased these custom jobs before, but going to wait for the reveal until they have more than a primer coat
Furioso Dreadnought with Forge World MK.IV "Blood Talons"- same as above. Primer coat, but not ready for prime time just yet

And that brings us to our spotlight squads. First up, Spectral (Sanguinary) Priests flanking the Honor Guard Novitiate:

These field medics have been worth their weight in gold Imperial Crowns (Thrones... whatever) on the tabletop. Priests attached to each Assault Squad with Furious Charge and Feel No Pain. Simply exquisite. I am extremely pleased with the finished result of the customization. Forge World MK.III, Chapterhouse Studios shoulder guards, Terminator Storm Bolters and a custom hand cannon (based on a Khorne Berserker pistol) for the Novitiate. WIP as they obviously need more than just a metallic highlight.

Last but not least for this entry... my homage to Robotech's RaiderX Destroid:

I know I'm biased, but gawddamn these things are just freakin' cool! The majority of my shooting wounds by far come from these lead slinging machines, and there is a tangible wide-eyed psychological factor when they hit the table. At worst, they freak my opponents out so much that they spend a good portion of the game chasing Pain & Panic here around the table and trying to pop them through cover... leaving the rest of my units to flank and spank. Its a beautiful thing.

Pretty straightforward conversions. I'm sure you can figure out what came from where. I'll happily relay some penny-saving advice if you're in the market; grab yourself the Ironclad torso/leg combos from your favorite bits store as you don't need anything else once the Forge World Autocannons arrive. Should be able to get away with about $15.00 per (sans the FW parts, of course). Certainly better than the $40.00+ for the full GW Ironclad kit.

Thats it for now kiddies. Thanks for taking the time to peruse. Feel free to leave suggestive comments (heh).

Next issue: why I'm not ashamed to be a Mech whore.

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Back in Black: Void Spectres

Long time no blog, eh? Metric tons (or is that tonnes?) of work hours and a bit of interwebz burnout killed the desire for a time. Easing back in with a new army and a new concept. Void Spectres.


Hopefully I can come up with a chapter symbol thats a tad bit cooler than Casper up there.


Yep... it's a Blood Angels clone. Nope... I won't excuse my bandwagon-ness other than to say my real interest is the zippy quick tanks. Give me those in a CSM army and the red pretty boys book goes back on the shelf. If pushed, I'll admit the literal slew of magic Feel No Pain field medics is sorta' sexy too.

I have a boatload of new models to showboat. Many of them are even... wait for it... painted! Been lazy with the digicam. I'll hit the clicks hard this weekend and get some shots up. Gabriel Seth analog, tailored honor guard, couple of assault squads and enough mech to make Caterpiller jealous. I'm especially fond of the Robotech Destroid Defender Dreads. The moniker will make more sense when you see the conversions.

In the interim I'll preview with my standard 1250 build. Decent successes thus far. Think she's a keeper.

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1250 Pts - Void Spectres (Blood Angels)

1 Chapter Master @ 160 pts (Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Iron Halo; Power Armour; Blood Reaver; Bolt Pistol; Fearless; Ferocious Instincts; Independent Character; Whirlwind of Gore)

Honour Guard @ 227 pts (Unit Type: Infantry; Veteran; Veteran; Veteran; Veteran; And They Shall Know No Fear; The Red Thirst; Razorback)
   1 Apothecary (Blood Chalice; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol; Chainsword; Feel No Pain; Furious Charge)
   1 Veteran (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Lightning Claw x1; Storm Bolter x1)
   1 Veteran (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Flamer x1; Storm Bolter x1)
   1 Veteran (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Flamer x1; Meltagun x1)
   1 Veteran (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Flamer x1; Meltagun x1)
   1 Razorback (Unit Type: Vehicle (Tank, Fast); Transport Capacity: 6 models; Access Points: 3; Fire Points: 0; Smoke Launchers; Searchlight; Twin Linked Heavy Bolter)

1 Apothecary @ 58 pts ([Power Armour])
   1 [Power Armour] (Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Blood Chalice; Power Armour; Melta Bombs; Chainsword; Storm Bolter; And They Shall Know No Fear; Feel No Pain; Furious Charge; Independent Character)

4 Assault Squad @ 181 pts (Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Remove Jump Packs; Bolt Pistol x4; Chainsword x4; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Descent of Angels; The Red Thirst; Razorback)
   1 Sergeant (Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Remove Jump Packs; Bolt Pistol; Power Fist x1; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Descent of Angels; The Red Thirst)
   1 Razorback (Unit Type: Vehicle (Tank, Fast); Transport Capacity: 6 models; Access Points: 3; Fire Points: 0; Smoke Launchers; Searchlight; Lascannon and TL Plasmagun)

1 Apothecary @ 58 pts ([Power Armour])
   1 [Power Armour] (Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Blood Chalice; Power Armour; Melta Bombs; Chainsword; Storm Bolter; And They Shall Know No Fear; Feel No Pain; Furious Charge; Independent Character)

4 Assault Squad @ 181 pts (Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Remove Jump Packs; Bolt Pistol x4; Chainsword x4; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Descent of Angels; The Red Thirst; Razorback)
   1 Sergeant (Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Remove Jump Packs; Bolt Pistol; Power Fist x1; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Descent of Angels; The Red Thirst)
   1 Razorback (Unit Type: Vehicle (Tank, Fast); Transport Capacity: 6 models; Access Points: 3; Fire Points: 0; Smoke Launchers; Searchlight; Lascannon and TL Plasmagun)

1 Dreadnought @ 120 pts (Unit Type: Vehicle (Walker); Smoke Launchers; Twin Linked Autocannon; Twin Linked Autocannon; The Red Thirst)

1 Dreadnought @ 120 pts (Unit Type: Vehicle (Walker); Smoke Launchers; Twin Linked Autocannon; Twin Linked Autocannon; The Red Thirst)

1 Baal Predator @ 145 pts (Unit Type: Vehicle (Tank, Fast); Smoke Launchers; Twin Linked Assault Cannon; Heavy Bolter; Scouts)

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More to come. Stay tuned.

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Break's Over... Back to Play

Anger issues? Who?! Actually... me.


Had to take a break from the 40K interwebz. Found myself becoming more involved in the community as an electronic vigilante than a game player. Hanging out in seedy comments sections of blogs, swatting down neckbeard nerdrage rants and bitching at (however well-intentioned) "here's how to be a decent human being & play nice" articles.  


That's fun. Except, not. So I pulled the plug for awhile. Easing back into it.


Turns out there's actually a really real GAME that goes along with all this 40K internettery. And it has some pretty cool models! Also: I have... like, a blog and stuff.

I'll be damned.

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Say It Ain’t So, Part II – The Mako

What a terrifyingly awesome fish that is. Mine's not nearly as cool as the picture above... it’s just a mod’d Piranha. The bastardization of the Greater Good continues.

Figured the upstart DToM (Don’t Tread on Me) rebellion might need a bit of extra firepower to fend off the slew of Battlesuits and Hammerheads the Space Sushi are going to toss at them. Enter the Mako.

Pretty straightforward conversion actually. Created some wing-mounting spacers, shifted the wings towards the back, gave them more of a downward angle, and sheared off any portion of the wing which extended past the back of the fuselage. Thick plasticard insert (with some added internal bracing) for the cockpit section, and then metric ton of sanding to get everything to blend correctly. Bit and bobbles tacked on as inspiration hits.

Not sure about the ventral tail. I love the aesthetic, but it’s beginning to look like it will be difficult to acquire the Land Speeder tail in “bits” form and I would like to be able to recreate the model if I get itchy for a squadron of the aggressive-looking buggers.

Not quite done with the gluing yet. Needs wing guns, a bit more texture to the flattened cockpit, and maybe a Seeker Missile or two. Stats-line is identical to the Piranha. Inspiration? Global Hawk. Looks mean just sitting on the tarmac.

“DToM” is just a working name for the rebellion, by the by. Though I must admit that it’s growing on me.

Freshly-diced Tau… delicious and low in saturated fat. Yum.

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UPDATE: Tried a Stealth Generator on for size in lieu of the inverted "U" ventral fin. Not entirely convinced yet, but I think I like it...

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UPDATE 2: Close to primer-ready:

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MK V Heresy Armor - And Its All Over Folks! He's Down!

I could only bob-n-weave for so long. Even knew it was comin'. Wasn't enough. Just don't have the stamina to fight it any longer...

Bampf! Sucker punch right to the jaw... and I'm seeing stars. Pre-order placed.

The Phobos Patterns were a kick to the groin while I was down. Have they no shame?!

Damn you Forge World... damn you to hell! You're killin' me here...

*shakes fist* KHAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!

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Say It Ain't So... Tau? Seriously?!

It's not. Well, not really. I haven't fallen off my high horse yet.


A little background here: I despise the Tau. In the opinion of this author, Tau are the Jar-Jar Binks of the 40K universe; created solely for commercialization purposes to draw in younger players and Anime buffs. The concept was far from original, being an amalgam of several well-known Sci-Fi staples, and it wasn't executed well. A considerable chunk of the models, intended to be eye-candy, are mostly crap (chicken-legged Battlesuits anyone?). That being said; GW has every right to try to make money... and make money off the Tau they have. Even my money, I am ashamed to admit.


Wanting to draw my son into the hobby, I purchased a respectable army of Tau kits for him to build and play. I was successful in that it definitely generated interest in him, and he absolutely loves the game now. Although it does require a fire-and-brimstone speech from me to get him to read the damn rules. A few months in however, my spawn yanks the carpet out from under me and the little bastard repays my generosity by summarily pushing aside all the Tau plastic in favor of Black Templars. Awesome (not). Fret not... revenge will be mine when "can I have a car" or "can I get my driver's license" time comes around. Oh yes... revenge will be mine.


So, there they sat... bins and bins of discarded Pulse Rifles, ridiculous monocular helmets, and half-built Devilfish.


Fast-forward to this week. Work has been absolute hell, and my creative energy reserves are dangerously low. By the time I get home I'm so mentally fried that I just sit and stare at my poor Kommandos. Time for something new and different to lubricate the mental gears and get back up to full steam. I grab Catachan legs, some of the discarded Firewarrior torsos, a few Elysian drop-troop respirator heads, slop some glue around... and viola': Human Auxiliary! Good looking ones at that.

But wait... I hate the Tau. Really didn't think this one through, did you rocket scientist?!  Ok, ok... just slow down. Surely there's a way to cheese in some believable background. And then it hit me...


Human Auxiliary Renegades (*disgusted groans from the crowd ensue*).  Now wait... stick with me here... this one's not all that bad. Imagine a human world/sector/colony under Tau influence which decides to wake up and see that they sure do seem to get the short end of the stick more often than not when it comes to this "greater good" garbage. No matter how pampered, a pet is still a pet. So they toss off the yoke of the oppressors, grab the good gear for themselves, and plant the Don't Tread on Me flag.


"Don't Tread on Me" Cadre Trooper (Firewarrior):
WS:3  BS:3  S:3  T:3  W:1  I:3  A:1  Ld:7  Sv: 5+ Options: as Firewarrior


"Don't Tread on Me" Cadre Officer (Chez'frijoli, or whatever that Tau Sergeant word is):
WS:3  BS:3  S:3  T:3  W:1  I:3  A:2  Ld:8  Sv: 5+ Options: as Chez'frijoli


Think I'll toss together a Kill Team, and maybe 500 points. Use the Tau army list with little/no modification. Not bad, yeah?


Shuddup... who asked you anyways?!


In other news: work progresses (albeit, slowly) on the Baal Pred.

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MK IV Maximus Armor - No Pox For You!

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/New_Stuff/MK-IV-MAXIMUS-ARMOUR.html

Mk.IVs this week. Nice, but I essentially have these with my Red Scorpions upgrade of yore. You manage to squeak by this week without a curse from me... Forge World my nemesis.

Now these? These are somewhat tempting...

..but can wait.

Next Friday I expect the Mk.Vs will be gracing the "new stuff" page. I can feel the dollar bills rustling as they try to fly out of my wallet at this very moment. Damn it all to hell and back. I need to get out of this hobby.

Gene Simmons, you ain't lyin'."Every time I walk through that door it's the same damn thing, that bitch bends over & I forget my name"


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Ain't That A Hoot: Forge World Mk.III & Mk.V Trophies

Kommando upgrade set from Forge World arrived today. So as soon as I arrived home from work I giddily shredded the box to inspect my latest toys. Summarily tossed aside the Bosspole to get a better look at the gas masks, then something caught my eye...

Interesting, no? Now I ain't never been accused of being the sharpest spoon the the drawer, but gol'durnit that one shore do look like one of them fancy-pants Mk.III helmets on the "What's New" page... do'nit?!

And then there's this...

Could've sworn I saw a newsletter recently touting this exact helm as a sneak peak. Ok, ok... enough already you conniving Brits. Cut the suspense and just release the Mk.Vs so you can squeeze more cash outta' me, would ya'?

Nice one FW. I like the continuity, and the fact that you didn't make a big deal out of it.

God I love/hate this hobby...

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